MP backs Marlborough lollipop lady fight
9:47am Wednesday 16th March 2011 in News By Nigel Kerton
Catherine Palmer on duty outside St Peter's School
Staff and parents at St Peter’s Junior School in Marlborough have the support of MP Claire Perry in their fight to keep the lollipop patrol across busy London Road after Easter.
Two weeks ago the school’s lollipop lady Catherine Palmer was lucky to escape injury when a car drove so close to her that it struck her lollipop pole and bowled her over as she went to show a pupil over the zebra crossing. Police are investigating the incident.
However, Mrs Palmer’s contract runs out at the end of this term. St Peter’s was given permission by Wiltshire Council to employ her last October only until Easter because of the extra traffic created on London Road by the bridge rebuilding work in Pewsey Road.
Following the incident that left Mrs Palmer shaken but otherwise unhurt, parents and school staff have stepped up their campaign to keep the crossing patrol and they have again been pledged the support of MP Claire Perry who helped St Peter’s win permission to get the patrol in October.
Mrs Perry said: “I think this was an awful incident and my sympathies are with Mrs Palmer.
“I will certainly be pressing Wiltshire Council to continue funding this important post.”
St Peter’s headteacher Caroline Spindlow said: “We are most definitely fighting to keep the lollipop patrol and we have parents writing to Claire Perry and I have been speaking with her.
“She supports our view that it is totally unacceptable that children should cross this road without one. The problem children face in crossing this busy road at this point was highlighted by the accident last week.”
A Wiltshire Council spokesman said: “The safety of children going to and from school is a top priority for us. We will continue to monitor the situation and work with the school to ensure children are able to cross the road safely.”
